Governor's Council recounts continue across District 1

As recounts across District 1 in the Governor’s Council Democratic primary race continue, first-place finisher Oliver Cipollini said that if the final results cost him the race, he may challenge the validity of Fall River’s recount. Cipollini made the comments after observing the recounting...

As recounts across District 1 in the Governor’s Council Democratic primary race continue, first-place finisher Oliver Cipollini said that if the final results cost him the race, he may challenge the validity of Fall River’s recount.

Cipollini made the comments after observing the recounting of 668 ballots in Swansea on Thursday morning. That process resulted in second-place finisher Nicholas Bernier gaining one more vote after receiving an additional 42 votes after the completion of the recount process Wednesday in Fall River.

Claiming he should have been given two days’ notice that a recount was taking place, Cipollini said he did not have enough time to establish a team of observers. Cipollini had no one present to observe the process at Fall River’s recount, which took place about 16 hours after Bernier’s petition was approved by the state.

Cipollini said that among his legal representation is current Governor’s Councilor Maryellen Manning and attorneys Joseph and Kelly Lydon, who have a law firm on Cape Cod.

While the final outcome remains undetermined, Bernier said he doesn’t think Cipollini’s challenge would gain much traction.

“He can try to, he is allowed to litigate,” Bernier said. “There is normally a three-day period before a recount. However, because this is a special situation, I don’t think the challenge will reverse the recount.”

Bernier was referring to the time frames being altered because the primary election was held on a Thursday instead of a Tuesday, when elections are traditionally held.

In addition to gaining a vote in Swansea, his hometown, Bernier said he also gained a single vote in Dighton, two votes in Middleboro and 11 in Cipollini’s hometown of Barnstable, during recounts completed in those towns Thursday afternoon. Six other communities also held their recounts with no change resulting. At that point, Bernier said he had closed the gap between he and Cipollini to 40 votes.

Among the other recounts taking place Thursday night were those in New Bedford, Taunton and Somerset.

Cipollini’s claims came shortly after his brother — Republican District 1 Councilor Charles Cipollini — stopped by Fall River’s Government Center to obtain results from the recount election. Charles Cipollini is the only Republican on the District 1 ballot.

Results from the Fall River recount saw Bernier’s city total rise from 3,796 to 3,838, while Oliver Cipollini’s total increased by one vote to 1,215. Third-place finisher Walter Moniz gained nine votes, bringing his total to 2,343.

Fall River Board of Elections Commission Chairwoman Elizabeth Camara said the Governor’s Council recount was completed around 10 p.m.

Charles Cipollini questioned Camara on where the additional votes could have come from and the short time frame between when the recount was ordered by Secretary of State William Galvin’s office and when Fall River’s recount was held. Fall River was the only community among the 47 that make up District 1 to hold its recount Wednesday. All recounts must be completed by 5 p.m. today.

Page 2 of 2 -
“I don’t know where these votes are coming from; we have to challenge this,” Charles Cipollini said during a phone conversation with his brother.

Charles Cipollini further complained that the number of blank ballots was not specified by election officials.

“They can play with the blanks,” Charles Cipollini said.

Camara did inform Charles Cipollini that his brother submitted a list of potential observers in advance of the recount, but Charles Cipollini said his brother could not ensure those observers would be able to attend.

“You’re putting time constraints on all of the candidates,” Charles Cipollini said.

“This is the only city to have a recount at 9 a.m. in the morning. That’s something to challenge if this doesn’t come out in our favor.”